solenoid is a big relay..

takes the signal wire from the switch and turns on power to the starter.

you need a jumper cable across the two big leads, hook one side, just touch the other.. it should react..

then turn the key to on..
and try to get it to turn and start..

Sam

 

Ok will do.I am embarrased that at my age I dont know my simple tech stuff.thanks

 

There are two large post on the solenoid along with a smaller one which is the signal wire from key switch. Take a big screw driver and jump the two bigger post together and see if the starter moves . Watch the sparks lol

 

its ok, we all learn something every day.. sometimes its car related.

Sam

 

As I suggested, if oyou have an air hose or starting fluid, blow out the distrib and rotor...check the rotor for wear -n- tear...might be a good time to replace it

 

1st it has to crank. then if it won't start, we check the distro..
so far, no crank..

Sam

 

Gotcha, if cranking and not firing then check distrib & rotor...my bad...

 

nah. I didn't see it the 1st 3 times I read it either..

you usually don't have starter type problems after an engine wash.. usually distro/coil problems..

Sam

 

On the solenoid are normally four terminals. Two big ones and two small ones. The two small ones are your trigger voltage for your solenoid. The two big ones are the main power terminals for the starter. Pwr in, solenoid gets the activation voltage from the ign switch which closes and send pwr out the other main pwr terminal to the starter. We just jump the main terminals. We use whatever is at hand. A big screw driver, etc.

All you are trying to do is bypass the solenoid to see if the starter kicks over. If you short across the two main terminals and the starter starts to turn then let go of the jump. You are not trying to start the truck this way just checking to see where the problem is. If it tries to spin the motor get another solenoid.

Just so you know most probably there will be some sparks when you jump it. Just remember you are not trying to start it this way only checking to see what is good and what is bad.

jim


PS: sorry for the double information as for some reason I didn't see the other posts??????

 

Also remember that you are making a arc across these post so be carfull that they may start to weld together so use something cheap and remember it can heat up too

 

It turned over before he washed it. Now it don't. Most likely the start wire on the S post of the solenoid has come off or is loose from the water pressure.

 

he said he hosed it down, not power washed.. it should at least click.. he gets nothing he said.. hose should not knock the wire off, unless it wasn't actually attached..

sam

 

If the solenoid is on the starter (stock Chevy arrangement) I don't think I'd recommend jumping the terminals, too much potential for problems with the "jumper" (pliers? screwdriver?) smoking off, or grounding to exhaust or the block. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and clean all the solenoid connections, reconnect battery and try it.

If the solenoid has 4 terminals (2 big/2 small) one of the small ones is the starter trigger, the other is a feed to ignition (just like the "I" terminal on a Ford firewall solenoid). Hot-wiring to the ignition feed won't do a thing. Connecting to the starter trigger could result in the engine starting, as long as the starter is energized at least.

http://www.americanstreetmasters.com/Wiring_101_5.jpg

 

Sam it's the first thing I would check. I have seem many that where loose and had to be squeezed with pliers to keep them on or to make good contact. I have knocked that wire off just leaning over it changing plugs.

 

I am thinking Ford. If he has a GM starter than ya it's different ball o wax for sure.